Researchers turned liquid metal into wires that are capable of stretching eight times their normal length

Electronic accessories such as headphones and chargers could get a huge boost from a recent North Carolina State University study.

The study, led by NC State Assistant Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Dr. Michael Dickey, has turned liquid metal into wires that are capable of stretching eight times their normal length.

This is how it works: a thin tube made of elastic polymer is filled with a liquid metal alloy of gallium and indium. Unlike previous studies, the elastic polymer and liquid metal alloys are kept separate so that the metals can conduct electricity without diminishing elasticity.

“Increasing the amount of metal improves the conductivity of the composite, but diminishes its elasticity,” said Dickey. “Our approach keeps the materials separate, so you have maximum conductivity without impairing elasticity. In short, our wires are orders of magnitude more stretchable than the most conductive wires, and at least an order of magnitude more conductive than the most stretchable wires currently in the literature.”

While this could prove beneficial to electronics and electronic textiles, the researchers still need to figure out a way to stop any leakage of the metal if the wires are cut.